Television advertising to children: ethical considerations with regard to advertising of unhealthy foods and drinks

Abstract

This policy brief deals with the issue of television advertising of food products to children in South Africa. During 2012, a study was undertaken by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the South African Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Athabasca in Canada to examine the extent of television advertising of food products to children by the SABC across its four television broadcasting stations. The study evaluated the number and type of food products advertised in order to determine whether children were being exposed to unhealthy food and beverage advertising.